Leadership Principles at MSU

Leadership Principles at MSU

The leadership competency list below reflects a review of current literature on leadership, social sciences, and business; of competency lists developed by government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations; and of analyses of the impact of societal changes on organizations and their challenges for leadership in the future. The tenets and beliefs about leadership laid out in the bullets below shaped the selection of the competencies adopted by the School of Leadership and Professional Development.

We understand organizations and communities need leaders at all levels. As such, the list reflects the belief that a set of competencies can be identified that is required of leaders across all levels of organizations and communities even though the specific actions and interactions will differ.
We believe leadership can be taught, but competencies must be developed which prepare leaders to adapt in a volatile, uncertain, changing and ambiguous environment. Therefore competencies which provide a solid foundation for learning-in-action, sensing the environment, and acting in the face of unknown circumstances should include not only adaptive skills, but moral and emotional development.
We believe leadership is primarily relational. Leaders accomplish results by working with and through others. Leaders must be able to address people’s interests in order to engage them fully. Leadership is a dynamic process and as unique as the people involved. No single leadership approach applies to every situation or personal style.